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Cops probe two armed robberies
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown police are investigating two armed robberies, one involving a South Side discount store along a heavily traveled corridor.
Police were called to the Family Dollar store in the 2200 block of Market Street about 9 p.m. Tuesday for an attempted armed robbery. The store had been invaded by three men wearing masks and claiming to be carrying firearms.
According to police, a store manager went into the front office of the store to count cash drawers when someone began pulling on the office door. When the woman opened the office door she was snatched from the office and dragged to a safe near the cash registers.
The woman said she was ordered to open the safe by a smaller built, masked man who kept his hand in the pocket of his hooded sweat shirt as if he were carrying a gun.
While she was attempting to open the safe, two more men entered the store also wearing hooded sweat shirts and masks.
The manager said one of the men walked to the back of the store and ordered another employee to the front saying he would “pop” him if he did not comply.
The manager said she was punched in the head when she could not quickly open the safe or a nearby cash register.
The safe is equipped with a time delay.
All three men ran from the store when a customer pulled into the parking lot. They ultimately left the store with nothing, but police are reviewing video footage of the incident.
Police also are investigating an early Wednesday robbery at a private residence in the 3300 block of South Avenue.
According to police, the homeowner and a group of friends were sitting in the living room of the home about 4:30 a.m. when a man wearing all black and carrying a purse and handgun walked into the room demanding money and valuables.
The intruder was given $50, but became angry and struck one of the men in the room in the head with the butt of the gun before running off.
The victim was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for treatment.
Police did not find any forced entry to the home.
The homeowner said he may have left the door unlocked.